I've pondered those same questions (our shallow well is a long ways from the current pond). I think if you give out specifics it might help elicit more responses you can use... how big is the pond? how much were you thinking about trickling? etc.
Up until last year, I did have a trickle system going utilizing a 30-gallon pressure tank and a shallow-well pump (I think the combo cost me ~$250) and though the electrical cost to run it indeed was cheaper than using city water, it would still take 20+years of trickling to get a return on investment... and I'm sure I'd need a new one before then, so "no" I don't beleive it would pay for itself if that were the only reason one would purchase a well pump and pressure tank... BUT if you have other uses for that well water, such as watering the grass or a garden, using pressure washer, a drip irrigation system, etc then, Why not use it for both as it would surely then pay for itself. Even though we do have a shallow well I use for cleaning the filters and re-filling the pond... if I do decide to again hook-up a trickle system I believe I'll do it with city water just because it will be so much easier to do in our situation, also the city charges us at about 25% for water than doesn't go back down the drain (I would first have to first purchase a meter from them for $75 to connect to any outside outlet).
Last edited by monomer; 11-03-2012 at 01:15 PM.
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